A shortage of pilots is forcing SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier, to periodically cancel flights.
The latest flight to be cancelled was UL 505, which was scheduled to leave for London at 2:00 AM today. On Friday, UL 571 to Rome was also cancelled. Last week, a flight to Narita (Japan) was delayed by six hours. Sri Lankan Airlines staff complain that the management is slow to recruit pilots.
According to a source at the Sri Lankan Pilots Guild, commercial pilots are not expected to fly more than 900 hours a year, under international flying regulations. The source, who did not wish to be identified, said most pilots working for Sri Lankan Airlines are overworked and have reached the 900-hour limit.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Airlines duty manager at Bandaranaike International Airport said “operational problems” were the cause of flight cancellations and delays. He said the London-bound Flight UL 509, due to depart at 11:00 AM today, would leave on schedule. He declined to give further details.
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